ABDOMINOPLASTY TUMMY TUCKA COSTS
Category: Plastic Surgery
Abstract :
Abdominoplasty Definition Also known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is a
surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat in the abdominal area is removed
and the abdominal muscles are tightened. Abdominoplasty
Purpose Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that treats loose or sagging
abdominal skin, leading to a protruding abdomen that typically occurs after
significant we
Abdominoplasty Definition Also known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is a
surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat in the abdominal area is removed
and the abdominal muscles are tightened.
Abdominoplasty
Purpose Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that treats loose or sagging
abdominal skin, leading to a protruding abdomen that typically occurs after
significant weight loss.
Good candidates for abdominoplasty are individuals in
good health who have one or more of the above conditions and who have tried to
address these issues with diet and exercise with little or no results. Women who
have had multiple pregnancies often seek abdominoplasty as a means of ridding
themselves of loose abdominal skin. While in many cases diet and exercise are
sufficient in reducing abdominal fat and loose skin after pregnancy, in some
women these conditions may persist.
Abdominoplasty is not recommended for
women who wish to have further pregnancies, as the beneficial effects of the
surgery may be undone. Another common reason for abdominoplasty is to remove
excess skin from a person who has lost a large amount of weight or is obese. A
large area of overhanging skin is called a pannus. Older patients are at an
increased risk of developing a pannus because skin loses elasticity as one
ages.
Problems with hygiene or wound formation can result in a patient
who has multiple hanging folds of abdominal skin and fat. If a large area of
excess tissue is removed, the procedure is called a panniculectomy. In some
instances, abdominoplasty is performed simultaneously or directly following
gynecologic surgery such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). One study
found that the removal of a large amount of excess abdominal skin and fat from
morbidly obese patients during gynecologic surgery results in better exposure to
the operating field and improved wound healing.
Abdominoplasty
Contraindications Certain patients should not undergo abdominoplasty. Poor
candidates for the surgery include: • Women who wish to have subsequent
pregnancies. • Individuals who wish to lose a large amount of weight
following surgery. • Patients with unrealistic expectations (those who think
the surgery will give them a “perfect” figure). • Those who are unable to
deal with the post-surgical scars. • Patients who have had previous abdominal
surgery. • Heavy smokers.
Abdominoplasty Demographics According to
the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons, in 2001 there were approximately
58,567 abdominoplasties performed in the United States, relating to 4% of all
plastic surgery patients and less than 0.5% of all plastic surgery procedures.
Female patients accounted for 97% of all abdominoplasties.
Most patients
were between the ages of 35 and 50 (58%), with patients under 35 accounting for
20% and patients over 50 accounting for 22%. Eighty-two percent of all plastic
surgery patients during 2001 were white, 7% were Hispanic, 5% were African
American, and 5% were Asian American.
Abdominoplasty Costs Because
abdominoplasty is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure, most
insurance policies will not cover the procedure, unless it is being performed
for medical reasons (for example, if an abdominal hernia is the cause of the
protruding abdomen). A number of fees must be taken into consideration when
calculating the total cost of the procedure. Typically, fees include those paid
to the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the facility where the surgery is
performed. If liposuction or breast surgery is to be performed, additional costs
may be incurred. The average cost of abdominoplasty is $6,500, but may
range from $5,000–9,000, depending on the surgeon and the complexity of the
procedure.
Abdominoplasty Alternatives Before seeking abdominoplasty,
an individual will want to be sure that loose and excess abdominal skin and fat
cannot be decreased through a regimen of diet and exercise. Abdominoplasty
should not be viewed as an alternative to weight loss. In fact, some doctors
would suggest that a patient be no more than 15% over his or her ideal body
weight in order to undergo the procedure. Liposuction is a surgical alternative
to abdominoplasty. There are several advantages to liposuction. It is less
expensive (an average of $2,000 per body area treated compared to $6,500 for
abdominoplasty). It also is associated with a faster recovery, a need for
less anesthesia, a smaller rate of complications, and significantly smaller
incisions. What liposuction cannot do is remove excess skin. Liposuction is a
good choice for patients with localized deposits of fat, while abdominoplasty is
a better choice for patients with excess abdominal skin and fat.
Hit: 424 times
Related Articles in Plastic Surgery :
|